Historical Background
Cotton played a key role in the creation of a southern way of life. You should understand the conflicting views of slavery being a somewhat benevolent, paternalistic institution versus an overly brutal, dehumanizing monster; how blacks survived, maintaining their dignity and some aspects of their African cultures; and how the institution of slavery continues to influence our attitudes towards race today.
Assignment
"Slavery was the dominating reality of all southern life." Assess the validity of this generalization for two of the following aspects of southern life from about 1840 to 1860: political, social, economic, and intellectual life.
You should answer this question on your own blog. You should also include a visual of some sort and comment on three of your classmates' blogs.
